Guthrie advocates for urotrauma commission

U.S. Rep. Brett Guthrie, R-Bowling Green, has reintroduced a bill, H.R. 984, urging lawmakers to create a taskforce designated to “foster inter-agency cooperation” for the treatment of wounded veterans experiencing urotrauma.

The national commission, if created, would conduct a comprehensive study on urotrauma, which is categorized as trauma to sexual organs or the genitourinary system from the detonation of improvised explosive devices.

Guthrie’s office said urotrauma has become a “signature wound” caused by IEDs and now accounts for about one-eighth of all injuries sustained by troops in Afghanistan.

The commission, as proposed by Guthrie, would be fully paid for without adding to the national deficit and be led by the Department of Defense while working alongside the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Health and Human Services.

“These injuries are some of the most common and debilitating suffered by today’s veterans,” Guthrie said in a written statement. “They have long-lasting physical and psychological impacts. Our job here at home is to ensure our veterans come home to the best care and treatment options available. This bill is an important step in that process.”

In addition to the study, the commission would review private and public resources available for research and the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of urotrauma.

“Our military is the best and bravest,” Guthrie said in the statement. “It’s time we focus on this issue and make all our resources available to those who suffer from urotrauma.”

The legislation builds on efforts supported by Guthrie last year to extend benefits to service members afflicted with these types of injuries, now offered in the form of lump sum payments through Group Life Insurance Traumatic Injury Protection.

“The Congressman re-introduced the legislation (which builds off of the previous legislation) because there are still many gaps in urotrauma treatment,” said Jennifer Sherman, communications director for Guthrie, in an email. “For example, research is just now starting to be conducted for how women in the military are being impacted.”

Marty Finley can be reached at (270) 505-1762 or mfinley@thenewsenterprise.com.